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Meanwhile the money demanded of the province was levied with great rigour,
and various pretences were devised, to serve as a ground to new exactions.
Slaves and freemen were subject to a capitation tax. Imposts were laid upon
pillars and doors of houses. Corn, soldiers, mariners, arms, engines,
carriages, in a word, every thing that had a name, furnished a sufficient
handle for extorting money. Governors were appointed not only over towns,
but over villages and castles; and he that acted with the greatest rigour
and cruelty, was accounted the worthiest man and best citizen. The province
swarmed with lictors, overseers, and collectors, who, besides the sums
imposed by public authority exacted money likewise on their own account,
colouring their iniquitous demands with a pretence that they had been
expelled their country and native homes, and were in extreme want of every
thing. Add to all these calamities, immoderate usury, an evil almost
inseparable from war; for so great sums are then exacted, beyond what a
country is able to furnish, they are obliged to apply for a delay, which at
any price is still accounted a favour. Thus the debts of the province
increased considerably during these two years. Nor were the Roman citizens
the only sufferers on this occasion; for certain sums were demanded of every
state and corporation, as a loan upon the senate's decree; and the farmers
of the revenue were ordered to advance the next year's tribute, in like
manner as when they first entered upon office.

C. Julius Caesar. The Commentaries of Caesar. William Duncan. St. Louis. Edwards and Bushnell. 1856.

The chapter breaks in this translation have been changed to align with those in the 1901 Latin edition of the De Bello Civili, ed. Renatus du Pontet.

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